Kissing prank offends some at Minn. high school

By CHRIS WILLIAMS | December 15, 2011 | 2:30 PM EST

ROSEMOUNT, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota high school principal is apologizing for pep rally prank earlier this month in which blindfolded students were surprised to find they had kissed their parents in front of hundreds of classmates.

Rosemount High School Principal John Wollersheim said the prank had first been done about six years ago and wasn't controversial.

Not this time. A one-minute video of the smooches has gone viral on YouTube.

In the video, the captains of several winter sports teams were lined up along a wall of the gym opposite another line of students. The captains were blindfolded and told they had to guess which student kissed them.

However, the students were swapped out for the parents of the athletes. Some of the kisses lasted several seconds. In the video, the athletes who were tricked appeared surprised, but not angry.

Wollersheim released a formal apology on Tuesday after receiving about a dozen emails or calls from upset people inside and outside the district.

"This activity was intended to be fun, but some found it offensive," he wrote. "We apologize to anyone who was offended by this activity."

In an interview Thursday, Wollersheim said the event was organized by the high school staff, but he was accountable.

"As principal, I'm responsible for everything that happens in this school," he said. "This event offended people, and pep fests should have nothing that offends people."

Wollersheim noted the video showed only about a minute of the 30-minute assembly, which also included more traditional events like singing the school song and presenting awards.

Wollersheim said he had not received any complaints from the athletes or their parents.